Independent UN Investigator Defies US Sanctions Over Criticism of Israel's Actions in Gaza
Francesca Albanese, a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, faces sanctions from the Trump administration.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina: An independent UN investigator and outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza expressed her shock upon learning that the Trump administration had imposed sanctions on her.
Despite this, Francesca Albanese remains steadfast in her defense of those without a voice, emphasizing that attempting to silence her is indicative of guilt rather than power.
The Italian human rights lawyer asserts that such measures are an attempt by powerful entities to suppress her advocacy for Palestinians facing dire circumstances.
The US decision to impose sanctions on Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, follows a failed campaign by the US to force the Human Rights Council to remove her from her position.
Albanese’s work involves investigating human rights abuses in Palestinian territories, an endeavor she has described as revealing ‘genocide’ perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza.
Both Israel and the US have refuted these allegations.
The sanctions were announced by the State Department on the same day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington to discuss a ceasefire agreement with President Donald Trump amidst ongoing conflict.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of crimes against humanity during military operations in Gaza.
Albanese criticized the US response to Netanyahu’s visit, highlighting what she perceives as a lack of condemnation for his alleged wrongdoing.
Albanese is currently en route to the 30th anniversary commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia, where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed despite being under UN protection.
The UN, Human Rights Watch, and the Center for Constitutional Rights have condemned the US sanctions against her.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, 2023, with Hamas militants launching an attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians.
In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to the loss of more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
This includes a significant number of women and children, though precise figures on fighters versus civilians are not available.
With nearly 21 months of conflict displacing most of Gaza’s population, the UN reports that hunger is widespread due to Israel's blockade on food entering the territory.
Additionally, medical care remains severely limited in the region.
Despite this, Francesca Albanese remains steadfast in her defense of those without a voice, emphasizing that attempting to silence her is indicative of guilt rather than power.
The Italian human rights lawyer asserts that such measures are an attempt by powerful entities to suppress her advocacy for Palestinians facing dire circumstances.
The US decision to impose sanctions on Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, follows a failed campaign by the US to force the Human Rights Council to remove her from her position.
Albanese’s work involves investigating human rights abuses in Palestinian territories, an endeavor she has described as revealing ‘genocide’ perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza.
Both Israel and the US have refuted these allegations.
The sanctions were announced by the State Department on the same day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington to discuss a ceasefire agreement with President Donald Trump amidst ongoing conflict.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of crimes against humanity during military operations in Gaza.
Albanese criticized the US response to Netanyahu’s visit, highlighting what she perceives as a lack of condemnation for his alleged wrongdoing.
Albanese is currently en route to the 30th anniversary commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia, where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed despite being under UN protection.
The UN, Human Rights Watch, and the Center for Constitutional Rights have condemned the US sanctions against her.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, 2023, with Hamas militants launching an attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians.
In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to the loss of more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
This includes a significant number of women and children, though precise figures on fighters versus civilians are not available.
With nearly 21 months of conflict displacing most of Gaza’s population, the UN reports that hunger is widespread due to Israel's blockade on food entering the territory.
Additionally, medical care remains severely limited in the region.
